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I just returned from a full day of mosquito net distribution and am amazed by how absolutely huge my tukul now seems. We distributed just over 300 bednets across 3 small and very rural villages by going house-to-house and giving one bednet per bed. What a great introduction to this rural way of life…and a totally eye-opening experience.
There is only one road and the houses line both sides of it so, in principle, it is a pretty simple exercise. After a short sensitization session by our Community Health Educator, we walked from one end of the village to the other stopping at each house, meeting the owner, counting the number of actual beds and handing out a corresponding number of mosquito nets.
I would walk up to the next house, throwing out a happy “Jambo” (”hello” in Swahili and one of the very few words I’ve learned) and tickling the toes of the ever-present child that always seems to be tied to Mom’s back. Stooping low, I would peer inside another tiny mud-walled hut that is their home. It is always pitch dark and, after a few seconds for my eyes to adjust, I could complete my assessment.
In one corner, a fire would be smoldering and the smoke would sting my eyes a bit. The roof and walls would be totally black and sticky. Beside the fire, there would be a bit of plastic or maybe a bamboo mat where some of the children would sleep and maybe a pot or two. A blanket if they were lucky. Looking to the left, there would be a slightly raised bamboo shelf where the parents would sleep. That’s it.
Back out in the sunlight, I would announce that there were 2 beds in this house and Mom would get her 2 mosquito nets…on to the next house.
Not even 2 meters square, this was a typical home for 4 to 6 people.
Back in the MSF compound, my tukul suddenly seems huge and somewhat extravagant. Concrete floors, brick walls, a wooden door, windows. Tall enough for me to actually stand up in. A set of shelves full of clothing, books, toiletries and a few treats. A small table and chair for letter writing. A picture of my fiancé and family in simple wooden frames. A space large enough for an entire family just for me. My own bed with a pillow, mattress, sheets and, of course, a mosquito net.
At least tonight, as I crawl into my bed exhausted from a day of fieldwork, I know that there are a few more families who will also be happily installed under their new mosquito nets. It was a good day!
You can see more from Grant's blog on the MSF Canada website.
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